Djibouti is one famous destination of this world that serves as the home of plenty of amazing and astonishing attractions- one of the most magical ones is Lake Assal which is also very famous as the saltiest lake of this world. Each year thousands of tourists grab cheap tickets to Djibouti to visit this wonderful and awe-inspiring area of continent Africa. This lake is even saltier than the Dead Sea and is ten times saltier than the ocean.
This Crater Lake is situated in the heart of Djibouti, in the lowest point of Africa (155 meters below sea level in the Afar Triangle). The lake is an important “national treasure” and the government of the country has also initiated a proposal to assign it the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The high salinity can easily be explained- there is no outflow or the outlet of the lake and it also holds the record for being the largest salt reserve of this planet.
The lake is 6.5 km wide and has the length of almost 19 km with a surface area of approximately 54 km2. The maximum depth is 40 meters and on average it is 7.4 meters deep. The Afar people have inhabited the lake precincts and their major way of living is the trading of the salt that has been extracted from the lake water.
You will find a lone palm tree at the side of the lake and there are many shrubs, thorny bushes that are scattered here and there around the shores of the bank. There are no apparent signs of life in water, although it is very much rich in minerals some terrestrial fauna species do exist like the insects, lizards, camels and the antelopes. It does not offer shelter to any kind of aqua fauna but some shoals of minnow fish species have been found here.
The area remains warmer all around the year, the maximum temperature of 52 centigrade has been reported here in summers and in winters the temperature can easily rise up to 32 centigrade. The Danakil Desert is also located in close vicinity (another attraction of Afar Triangle that is highly famous for its inhospitality and extreme heat. There are many volcanoes that lie in the region- the Dabbahu Volcano and Erta Ale are the famous ones.
Named by the National Geographic as “the cruellest place on earth”, it has drawn the attention of hundreds of adventurers and explorers from all around the earth). The lake is one amazing destination of bizarre jewels of salt and eerie beauty and offers one of the most memorable and astonishing experiences of life. The place has many other hidden surprises but you must take guidance of a professional explorer before heading towards this amazing area so this time in your holiday break, just make up your mind and pack up your belongings for enjoying the awe-inspiring attractions of Djibouti.
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